Fishing in Byethorne Park

Council is seeking your feedback on a proposal to prohibit fishing in the reserve at Byethorne Park, Nairne.

Fishing in council parks and reserves can be a popular recreational activity however can have a negative impact on local wildlife and the environment.

The impact of fishing and other recreational activities at Byethorne Park have been observed and monitored. In particular:

• regular wildlife injury and/or death including turtles and birds from fishing;
• disruption of native riparian vegetation;
• native birds and turtles becoming entangled in discarded or lost fishing lines
• cruelty to animals with motorised boats
• fishing nets placed in water
• concerns of hook injury to visitors and domestic pets from discarded hooks; and
• public health concerns from dying and dead fish left in reserves.

In March 2023, Council began an educational campaign with signage and social media which had no noticeable positive impact.

With an increase in community concerns and complaints, Council is seeking to prohibit fishing at Byethorne Park under the Local Government Land By-Law 2017 (By-Law 4). It states that a person must not without the permission of the Council, do any of the following on Local Government land:

• deposit, dig, damage, disturb, interfere with or remove any soil, stone, wood, clay, gravel, pebbles, timber, bark or any part of the land; take, interfere with, tease, harm or disturb any animal, bird or marine creature or the eggs or young of any animal, bird or marine creature;
• interfere with or damage any burrow, nest or habitat of any bird or animal or use, possess or have control of any device for the purpose of killing or capturing any animal bird or marine creature; or
• Fish in any waters to which the Council has determined the sub clause applies

Council is seeking your feedback to determine if the sub clause at Byethorne Park “Fish in any waters to which the Council has determined the sub clause applies” should apply.

Ways you can provide feedback:

• Complete the online survey
• Send an email to emontgomery@mountbarker.sa.gov.au
• Write a letter and either deliver to the Local Government Centre (6 Dutton Road, Mount Barker) or post to PO Box 54, Mount Barker.

Consultation will be open from Friday 19 January 2024 until Sunday 11 February 2024.